Okugo, MacMath Called Up to U-20 USMNT

CHICAGO (March 17, 2011) – Philadelphia Union midfielder Amobi Okugo and goalkeeper Zac MacMath will join the U-20 U.S. Men’s National Team for the 2011 CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Guatemala from March 28 to April 10, U.S. Soccer announced today. The duo departs for national team duty on Sunday, March 20, after the Union kick off their 2011 season the day before in Houston. Okugo and MacMath will miss the Union’s home opener against Vancouver on March 26 and matches at LA Galaxy on April 2 and NY Red Bulls at PPL Park on April 9. They will also miss the Union’s U.S. Open Cup match against rival D.C. United on April 6 at the Maryland SoccerPlex.

Okugo last competed for the U.S. at the Torneo de las Americas Tournament at Kennesaw State University in Georgia, from November 22-29, 2010. He started and played 90 minutes in losses to Colombia and Mexico, both of which came in PK’s. Okugo’s last call up by the National Team was in January during the squad’s training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

MacMath led the U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team to the Milk Cup title, posting a strong performance that helped defeat host Northern Ireland, 3-0, at the Showgrounds in Ballymena, Ireland, on July 30, 2010. The Union's first round draft pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft (fifth overall) finished the tournament unbeaten after recording a 1-0 victory over China on July 26. MacMath also participated in both training camps in Florida last December and January.

The U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team will face Suriname and Panama at Estadio National Mateo Flores and Estadio Cementos Progreso on March 29 and April 2, respectively, as part of Group B. The top two teams of each four groups will advance to the Quarterfinal round, with the winners advancing to the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup, set for July 29-Aug. 20 in Colombia.